Godley & Creme was a British duo and this 1985 single 'Cry' was a memorable song from them. It is emotive and full of feelings, even listening to it often more than 20 years after it's release.
Check out its strange but innovative music video featuring faces of people morphing in and out from start to finish. Amazing.
'you don't even know how to say goodbye, you make me wanna cry'
I wrote about the film Shawshank Redemption late last year and how it has a profound impact on me and to many who had watched it. In one of the most powerful scenes in the movie, Andy Dufresne talked to Red about 'a warm place in the Pacific' called Zihuatanejo. Tim Robbins who acted as Andy later expressed his thoughts in an interview :
' In the end, it's a film about people being in jail and having hope to get out of that jail. Now, why is that universal? Not everybody has been in jail. But maybe on a deeper level, a metaphysical level, people feel enslaved by their environments, their jobs, their relationships, by whatever it is in the course of their lives that puts the wall or the bars around them. And the idea that you can survive many, many years in this kind of enslavement, or prison of your own making, and that there's a Zihuatanejo somewhere in your future - i think that's something that really is important to people ; the idea that Zihuatanejo can exist for all of us. '
It was much later that i found out that Zihuatanejo is actually a real place in Mexico. In the movie, Andy described it as 'a place with no memory' and one where he wants to live the rest of his life, if he ever gets out of prison. This scene has a strong impact on me and one that has been constantly replaying in my mind for some time. I had just received news yesterday of my posting out to a new place of work from next year onwards. After five years in the current place, this was something i had been looking forward to for a long while and during this whole period, i had really wondered if i can ever get out of this place where i struggle constantly and daily to find meaning in my work. This blog post was conceived in my head a long time ago but i have really thought if this will ever materialize here and finally, it has now become a reality.
This will be my last few months in the place and i am looking forward to begin a new life in a new place in the new year and when that day comes, i will leave behind all memories of the place before except for some, of the wonderful people i had known and worked together. I am beginning to understand this is how life should be, to discard the bad and unwanted but to keep the little ones that's good.
'Suds On The Roof' is an uplifting short instrumental found in the soundtrack to this movie.
'A warm place with no memory, that's where i want to live out the rest of my life...'
1984 was a very good year for music. i was just attending school at primary one then. my memories of those times may be blurry now except for the music - hits after hits that were being churned out during that year and much of the 1980s.
One of the most unforgettable singles to emerge that year was 'Ghostbusters' by Ray Parker Jr. from the movie of the same name, with an innovative MTV to complement it. Fun, wacky and witty, this is music at it's most earnest and pop at it's best which makes the 80s such a fun era to be growing up in.
If there's something strange in your neighbourhood Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!
Nirvana lead the grunge movement in the early 90s. The three-piece band was made up of Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl. In the space of just three years and two highly acclaimed albums - Nevermind (1991) and In Utero (1993), they attained legendary status before the untimely death of frontman Kurt Cobain.
Their album 'Nevermind' first propelled them to worldwide popularity due in part to the single 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which is considered to be one of the all-time best rock single. To me, it was their next and final album 'In Utero' which captured my attention and my heart. It remains a staple listen all these years since i heard it during my college days.
'In Utero' was banned in this country (it was a silly act) due to a controversial track called 'Rape Me'. It has got nothing to do with rape but is only used metaphorically to describe the media attention and scrutinizing on Cobain's personal life, which he described lyrically as akin to 'being raped'. It is one of Nirvana's best tracks and one of the highlights in the album. It is also one of my personal favourites. The rest of the album is a non-stop barrage of heavy guitars, wailing and powerful drumming set against a backdrop of melodic guitar riffs. It is an in-depth listen into Kurt Cobain's musical genius and also his tortured and troubled soul within. 'Dumb', the only quieter but an almost perfect beautiful song. Dave Grohl's impressive drumming on this album inspired me to take up drumming during my final year in college. Luckily enough, i remembered stepping into a CD shop that time and chanced upon this album (i wonder how it managed to sneak through those censors) and bought it on the spot without hesitation. Check out 'Scentless Apprentice', 'Very Ape', 'Tourette's', 'Milk It', 'All Apologies' and 'Pennyroyal Tea'.
Soon after the release of this album, Kurt Cobain committed suicide by putting a gun to his head, but not before he left the world with one of the best rock albums ever.
He also co-wrote probably the most well known charity single'We Are The World' in 1985 performed by USA for Africa, a collection of music artistes from USA.
His collaborations with fellow musicians produced massive singles such as 'Somebody's Watching Me' (with Rockwell) and 'Say Say Say' (with Paul McCartney).
I could never ever forget 'Smooth Criminal' and it's outstanding video that showcased the King Of Pop himself at his best, along with his dazzling moonwalk.
In 'Black Or White', Michael Jackson sought to break down racial prejudice within the space of a song with its refrain 'it don't matter if you're black or white'.
For all his success and memorable music, Michael Jackson has been on the wrong side of the news ever since the mid 1990s, often criticized for his incessant spending, eccentricity and finally over the mill - accusations of child molestation in which he was finally acquitted in 2005. But he has never been the same since and seems worn out in recent years. He is just human like everyone else, for even the mistakes if he has made any. For me personally, i will rather (and had always) remember the man who gave the world the best music in modern times and for his generous heart in helping the world in his humanitarian works.
As soon as i heard the news this afternoon, i set out to write this on the blog, in loving memory of the most gifted and iconic entertainer of our times. I had planned to write about him and his music sometime ago and it is just sad that i had to write in this context of his passing away instead. As i pen off now listening to 'We Are The World', i can feel my eyes welling up with tears as Michael's gentle voice seeps into the first chorus.
You may be out of our lives now but not in our hearts.
I used to say 'I' and 'Me' Now it's 'Us', now it's 'We'
- Ben
'We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving'
'Shake The Disease' was a hit single for electro-pop band Depeche Mode way back in 1985. The haunting and infectious melody ensured this was one of the best and memorable songs within the band's vast catalogue for many of their fans.
Depeche Mode is such an important band to me. I will do a full write-up on the band sometime soon.
I like songs that capture the mood of the times we are living in. This song is most apt for what the world is experiencing now with a certain mysterious virus spreading around the globe and infecting human beings.
'Here is a plea from my heart to you Nobody knows me as well as you do You know how hard it is for me to shake the disease That takes hold of my tongue in situations like these'
Keane is a British trio band who debuted their album 'Hopes and Fears' in 2004 to much acclaim and success. Their unconventional brand of music using vocals, drums and piano as the leading instrument in their songs was unique and fresh-sounding. I did hear their subsequent releases but those had made little impression on me. I can only attribute it to the lack of consistent guitar sounds in their music. To me, they will never surpass the brilliance of this debut album and especially the following three tracks which remain my firm favorites.
'Everybody's Changing', the outstanding debut single is their best track for me. An unforgettable piano riff and great vocals makes this a great and fresh listen, even till this day. And what a great music video to accompany this song.
'Somewhere Only We Know' is another sentimental track with its pulsating piano track , coupled with great vocals.
'This Is The Last Time' - a semi-fast song that rides on the success of the first two singles. Shimmering pianos, excellent.
'Everybody's changing and i don't feel the same...'
All song files available are solely for evaluation purpose only so if you like what you hear, do support the artist/s by buying their CDs or tunes. If I am infringing on any copyright of yours, email me and I'll remove the files.
Godley & Creme was a British duo and this 1985 single 'Cry' was a memorable song from them. It is emotive and full of feelings, even listening to it often more than 20 years after it's release.
I wrote about the film Shawshank Redemption late last year and how it has a profound impact on me and to many who had watched it. In one of the most powerful scenes in the movie, Andy Dufresne talked to Red about 'a warm place in the Pacific' called Zihuatanejo. Tim Robbins who acted as Andy later expressed his thoughts in an interview :
1984 was a very good year for music. i was just attending school at primary one then. my memories of those times may be blurry now except for the music - hits after hits that were being churned out during that year and much of the 1980s.
Nirvana lead the grunge movement in the early 90s. The three-piece band was made up of Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl. In the space of just three years and two highly acclaimed albums - Nevermind (1991) and In Utero (1993), they attained legendary status before the untimely death of frontman Kurt Cobain.
Their album 'Nevermind' first propelled them to worldwide popularity due in part to the single 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which is considered to be one of the all-time best rock single. To me, it was their next and final album 'In Utero' which captured my attention and my heart. It remains a staple listen all these years since i heard it during my college days.
Soon after the release of this album, Kurt Cobain committed suicide by putting a gun to his head, but not before he left the world with one of the best rock albums ever.
Michael Jackson passed away today at the age of 50.
He also co-wrote probably the most well known charity single 'We Are The World' in 1985 performed by USA for Africa, a collection of music artistes from USA.
'Shake The Disease' was a hit single for electro-pop band Depeche Mode way back in 1985. The haunting and infectious melody ensured this was one of the best and memorable songs within the band's vast catalogue for many of their fans.
Depeche Mode is such an important band to me. I will do a full write-up on the band sometime soon.
Keane is a British trio band who debuted their album 'Hopes and Fears' in 2004 to much acclaim and success. Their unconventional brand of music using vocals, drums and piano a
s the leading
'Everybody's Changing', the outstanding debut single is their best track for me. An unforgettable piano riff and great vocals makes this a great and fresh listen, even till this day. And what a great music video to accompany this song.
'Somewhere Only We Know' is another sentimental track with its pulsating piano track , coupled with great vocals.
'This Is The Last Time' - a semi-fast song that rides on the success of the first two singles. Shimmering pianos, excellent.
